Los Galpones (The Sheds) is the latest solo full-length release conjured up by the extremely prolific Buenos Aires-based composer Alan Courtis (aka Anla Courtis). Courtis has straddled the international noise underground and the academic-centered modern composition scenes since the early-90's. As a solo artist, with the Argentine experimental group Reynols, and in collaborations with Pauline Oliveros, Makoto Kawabata (Acid Mothers Temple), Lasse Marhaug, Aaron Moore (Volcano the Bear), Okkyung Lee, and Daniel Menche among others, Courtis has amassed an impressive discography.
Los Galpones contains four dark and grimacing industrial-tinged drone pieces. Employing the electric guitar, the violin, springs and other found objects, Courtis creates a soundscape that is at times oppressive and dense. A reflection perhaps on the post-industrial urban landscape of his native Buenos Aires. "Aparcero" is a languid, patient piece that builds slowly, eventually overlaid with clipped, reversed sounds that feel like electric zippers. "Estiba" finds the rhythmic clang of deep gong-like tones emerging from a distance. Both sides frame a longer track against a piece about half the length of its predecessor, ensuring that the formal and textural qualities are in concert.